Our humble obeisance to the lotus feet of Guru Ramdas-the fourth Guru of Sikhism as flashed on the f.b. on April 8,2011.

Bishwa Nath Singh


Let us remember the fourth Guru Ramdas of Sikhism who is fondly remembered for encouraging the Sikhs to become true Sikhs by singing the glory of God who had authored Six hundred thirty eight hymns in thirty ragas, these include two hundred forty six Padei, one hundred thirty eight Saloks, thirty one Ashtpadis and eight Vars that form part of Holy Guru Granth Sahib besides one who had established the

Massand institution to look after growth of Sikhism!Let us remember the fourth Guru of Sikhism Guru Ramdas and pay our humble obeisance to His lotus feet!

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(Photo of the fourth Guru of Sikhism Guru Ramdas)

Guru Ramdas Sahib alias Jetha Ji was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore (in Pakistan), on September 24, 1534.He was son of Mata Daya Kaur ji (Anup Kaur ji) and Baba Hari Das ji Sodhi Khatri .He was very handsome and promising child. His parents were too poor to ...meet even the daily needs and he had to earn his bread by selling boiled grams. His parents died when he was just seven years old. His grandmother (mother's, mother) took him to her native village Basarke. He spent five years at village Basarke earning his bread by selling boiled grams. According to some chronicles, once Guru Amardas Sahib came village Basarke to condole with the grandmother of (Guru) Ramdas Sahib at the death of her son-in-law and developed deep affection for (Guru) Ramdas Sahib. Along with grandmother he left for Goidwal Sahib to settle there. There he resumed his profession of selling boiled grams and also began to take part in the religious congregation held by Guru Amardas Sahib. He also made active participation in the development of Goindwal Sahib.He was married to Bibi Bhani Ji (daughter of Guru Amardas Sahib). She bore him three sons: Prithi Chand Ji, Mahadev Ji and Arjan Sahib (Guru) Ji. After the marriage he stayed with his father-in-law and deeply associated himself with the Guru Ghar activities (Sikhism). He commanded full confidence of Guru Amardas Sahib and often accompanied him when the latter went on long missionary tours to different parts of India. He was a man of considerable meriit. He became famous for his piety, devotion, energy and eloquence. Guru Amardas Sahib found him capable in every respect and worthy of the office of Guruship and installed him as Fourth Nanak on September 1, 1574. Guru Ramdas Sahib laid the foundation stone of Chak Ramdas or Ramdas Pur, which is now called Amritsar. For this purpose he purchased land from the land lords of the villages: Tung, Gilwali and Gumtala, and began digging of Santokhsar Sarover. Later on he suspended the work on Santokhsar and concentrated his attention on digging Amritsar Sarovar. Bhai Sahlo Ji and Baba Budha Ji, the two devoted Sikhs were assigned the supervising work. As founder of the city of Amritsar, the site of Harmandir Sahib Ji and excavation of the pool of Harmandir Sahib Ji, he will be always remembered very fondly as it has become place of tourist interest where a large number of tourist from far and wide visit almost every day.He had founded the town of Guru Ka Chak, which later on came to be known as Amritsar. The Guru Ji invited people of different trades to do business in the newly set up townThe new city (Chak Ramdas Pur) flourished soon as it was situated at the centre of international trade routes. It grew into an important center of trade in Punjab after Lahore. Guru Ramdas Sahib himself invited many merchants and artisans from the different walks of life and trades. Later on, it proved to be step of far-reaching importance. It provided a common place of worship to the Sikhs and paved the way for the future guidelines for the Sikhism as a different religion. Guru Ramdas Sahib introduced Masand system in place of Manji system and this step played a great role in the consolidation of Sikhism.He had strengthened the Sikhism a step further by composing four lawans and advised the Sikhs to recite them in order to solemnize the marriages of their children. Thus he introduced a new matrimonial system based upon Sikhism instead of Hindu's Vedi system. Thus this distinct marriage code for the Sikhs separated them from the orthodox and traditional Hindu system. also made rapprochement with different sects of Udasis through Baba Shri Chand Ji. He, like his predecessors carried forward the tradition of Guru ka Langer. Superstitions, caste system and pilgrimages were strongly decried. He dedicated his life to preach Sikhism. He encouraged the Sikhs to become true Sikhs by singing the glory of God. He had authored Six hundred thirty eight hymns in thirty ragas, these include two hundred forty six Padei, one hundred thirty eight Saloks, thorty one Ashtpadis and eight Vars that form part of Holy Guru Granth Sahib. He established the Massand institution to look after growth of Sikhism. Guru Ram Das Ji bestowed Guruship on his youngest son Arjan Dev Ji, after whom the Guruship became hereditary. He left for heavenly abode on September 1st, 1581 at Goindwal Sahib Ji.Let us join to pay our respectful homage to Him and pay our humble obeisance to His lotus feet and seek His bliss for well-being of all living-being of this universe!

By: Bishwa Nath Singh

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Bishwa Nath Singh


Let us join to pay our humble obeisance to the lotus feet of the fourth Guru of Sikhism Guru Ramdas and seek His bliss for well-being of all living-being of this universe!

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(Photo of Guru Ramdas)

Bishwa Nath Singh:
He will be remembered for ever for introducing many social reforms during his tenure and being founder of the holy city Amritsar.

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f.b.

April 8,2011.